Strap support means

ABSTRACT

A strap support means which distributes the weight of strap carried articles to inhibit slipping of the strap off of such as a person&#39;&#39;s shoulder when the strap is disposed over the shoulder and inhibits the strap from riding up and about the neck of a person when disposed about the base of the neck.

United States Patent [191 McBain Mar. 26, 1974 STRAP SUPPORT MEANS [76]lnventorz Donald McBain, 4853 Cordell Ave.,

Apt. 1515, Bethesda, Md. 20014 [22] Filed: Mar. 1, 1971 [21] Appl. No.:119,615

[52] U.S. Cl. 224/5 P [51] Int. Cl. A45c 13/00, A45f 5/00 [58] Field ofSearch 224/5 R, 5 P, 5 V, 5 H,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,808,973 lO/l957 Gobble224/5 P 2,602,575 7/1952 Olson l,63l,694 6/1927 Rick 224/5 P 915,6283/1909 Seymore 224/5 P UX 2.633,573 4/l953 Sanders 224/5 P UX 635,59110/1899 Rasmussen 224/5 B 2,760,699 8/1956 Rivers-MacPherson 224/5 BCPrimary Examiner-Robert G. Sheridan Assistant ExaminerJerold M. ForsbergAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Browne, Beveridge, De- Grandi & Kline I [5 7ABSTRACT A strap support means which distributes the weight of strapcarried articles to inhibit slipping of the strap off of such as apersons shoulder when the strap is disposed over the shoulder andinhibits the strap from riding up and about the neck of a person whendisposed about the base of the neck.

12 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PAIENIEBIunzs I974 I sum 1 or 2 FIG. I L: 7A?1 25 I 2/ 22 a: 32; P37 J8 x INVENTOR Donald McBoin ATTORNEY}PAIENIEBIARZB m4 3.799.413

' sum '2 or 2 INVENTOR Donald McBuin ATTORNEY I ers neck. I havediscovered that if the strap is caused -to depend over the shoulder orabout the upper torso at an angle within a given range, that the weightforce vector of the article supported is such as to inhibit the strapfrom slipping off of the persons shoulder when supported thereover andwill likewise inhibit the strap from riding up and about the neck whendisposed about the base of the neck.

My improved carrier strap was originally developed for use byphotographers and I have therefore shown the same in the drawings forsuch as the shoulder support of a utility case and the support of acamera about the base of the neck. It will be readily appreciated thatthe invention is not specifically limited to support of any particulartype of article and that it will find use in a variety of differentfields.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentduring the course of the following detailed description, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, and in which drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one form of improved strap support means.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a carrier strap including the improved strap supportmeans of FIG. 1 as it may be worn over the shoulder.

FIG. 4 is a modified form of strap support means.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a further modified form of strap support means.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show disposition of a carrier strap including the strapsupport means of FIG. 5 about the base of the neck.

FIG. 8 is a further modified form of my improved strap support means.

Articles which are supported over the shoulder usually have a greaterweight than those which are likely to be supported about the base of theneck. Accordingly, the strap support means for such shoulder supportedarticles are likely to be slightly larger than those for supportingarticles about the base of the neck, in order to provide more areathrough which the weight may be distributed. This is thus the generalbasic difference between the strap support means as shown in FIGS. 1-4and the strap support means as shown in FIGS. 5-8. In other words, thestrap support means of FIGS. 1-4 could just as well be used for Wearingabout the base of the neck as over the shoulder, and the strap supportmeans of FIGS. 5-8 could likewise just as well be worn over the shoulderas about the base of the neck.

In the drawings, wherein are shown preferred and modified embodiments ofthe invention, and wherein similar reference characters designatecorresponding parts throughoutthe several views, the letter A maygenerally designate the carrier strap as shown in FIGS. l-3; B thecarrier strap as shown in FIG. 4; C the carrier strap as shown in FIGS.5-7; and D the carrier strap as shown in FIG. 8.

Carrier strap A preferably' includes strap support means 10, strap means11, and attaching means 12 for attachment of strap means 11 to strapsupport means 10.

Strap support means 10 may be of any appropriate material. Since thesame usually serves as a form of pad to distribute the weight of thestrap supported article over a large area, it is preferably of somerelatively soft and pliable material such as leather. Strap supportmeans 10 preferably includes an elongated central body portion which mayhave a longitudinal axis 21, and a pair of end portions 22 and 23 atspaced apart opposed ends of central portion 20, preferably extending atan angle to the same side of central portion 20.

Support means 10 is preferably worn as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, with edge25 thereof disposed toward the wearers neck and edge 26 thereof disposedtoward the wearers arm.

Strap means 11 may comprise an elongated strap 30, each end of which maybe provided with an article support 31 to which may be attached such autility case 32.

In the form of invention as shown in FIGS. l-3, attaching means 12 maycomprise a plurality of slots through which strap may be threaded insupport of opposite ends thereof depending to the front and back of thewearers body.

As shown, slots 35, 36, 37., and 38 enable attachment of strap 30 tostrap support means 10 with the main portion thereof which extends overthe wearers shoulder being positioned generally along axis 21 ofelongated central portion 20. Slots 39, 40, and 41; and slots 42, 43,and 44 are respectively provided on end portions 22 and 23 so that thestrap ends extending therethrough are angularly positioned with respectto that portion of strap 30 which is received by slots 35, 36, 37, and38. As shown in the drawings, the optimum angular relationship is 45degrees. However, it is obvious that the invention is not limited tomerely a 45 angular relationship. An angular relationship of from 30 tois practical and an angle of from 20 to will be effectlve.

When a carrier strap A is worn over the shoulder, as shown in FIGS. 2and 3, the angular relationship of the strap ends 30 as they extend fromend portions 22 and 23 of strap support means 10 are such that theweight of the article supported thereby will be substantially equallydistributed through strap support means 10, but with an angular weightforce vector such that as the weight supported is increased, strap 30will exert a force through strap support means 10 to draw edge 26 moreclosely and firmly toward the shoulder, bringing a larger area of strapsupport means 10 into ever firmer and securer engagement with thewearers shoulder.

Carrier strap A is thus extremely effective for shoulder strap supportof heavy loads that would otherwise have an ever increasing tendency topull the strap off of the shoulder. In addition, the distribution of theload over a large area prevents the strap from digging into the wearersshoulder.

Carrier strap A is equally effective for use over either the left orright shoulder, FIG. 2 being a rear view showing use on the rightshoulder and FIG. 3 being-a front view showing use on the left shoulder.

Carrier strap B is substantially similar to carrier strap A, including astrap support means 10" having an elongated central body portion 20"which may have a longitudinal axis 21 and a pair of end portions 22" and23" at spaced apart opposed ends of central portion 20, preferablyextending at an angle to the same side of central portion 20. Supportmeans is similarly worn as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, with edge 25 thereofdisposed toward the wearers neck and edge 26' thereof disposed towardthe wearers arm.

The strap means of carrier strap B may comprise a pair of elongatedstraps 30 and 30 which may be provided with suitable article supports(not shown).

The attaching means for attachment of straps 30 and 30 to strap supportmeans 10 may comprise stitches 50 by which the upper ends of straps 30and 30 are sewn to strap support means 10.

As shown, the ends of straps 30 and 30 are respectively attached to endportions 22 and 23' at an angular relationship with respect to axis 21''of elongated central portion As shown in the drawings, the optimumangular relationship is 45 degrees. As previously described inconnection with carrier strap A, the invention is not limited to merelya 45 angular relationship, an angular relationship of from 30 to 50being practical and an angle of from 20 to 70 being effective.

The weight distribution in use of carrier strap B is the same as thatpreviously described in connection with carrier strap A.

It is obvious that various other attaching means may be used forattachment of either a continuous strap or strap ends to a strap supportmeans in order to provide the angular relationship of the depending endsof the strap with respect to the longitudinal axis of the strap supportmeans as previously described Carrier strap C preferably includes strapsupport means 10, strap means 11, and attaching means 12 for attachmentof strap means 11 to strap support means 10.

Strap support means 10 preferably includes an elongated central bodyportion 20 which may have a longitudinal axis 21 and a pair of endportions 22 and 23 at spaced apart opposed ends of central portion 20,preferably extending at an angle to the same side of central portion 20.

Support means 10 is preferably worn as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, with edge26 thereof disposed toward the wearer's neck and edge thereof disposedtoward the wearers back.

Strap means 11 may comprise an elongated strap 30, each end of which maybe provided with an article support 51 to which may be attached such asa camera 52.

In the form of invention as shown in FIGS. 5-6, attaching means 12 maycomprise a plurality of slots through which strap 30 may be threaded insupport of opposite ends thereof depending to opposite sides of thewearer's neck.

As shown, slots 36, 37, and 38 enable attachment of strap 30 to strapsupport means 10 with the main portion thereof which extends about thebase of the wearers neck being positioned generally along axis 21 ofelongated central portion 20. Slots 39, 40, 41; and slots 42, 43, and 44are respectively provided on end portions 22 and 23 so that thestrapends extending therethrough are angularly positioned with respectto that portion of strap 30 which is received by slots 35, 36, 37, and38.

As shown in the drawings, the optimum angular relationship is 45. Aspreviously described, it is obvious that the invention is not limited tomerely a 45 angular relationship, an angular relationship of from 30 to50 being practical and an angle of from 20 to being effective.

When carrier strap C is worn about the base of the neck, as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, the angular relationship of the strap ends 30 as theyextend from end portions 22 and 23 of strap support means 10 are suchthat the weight of the article supported thereby will be substantiallyequally distributed through strap support means 10 with an angularweight force vector urging strap support means 10 to firmly seat aboutthe base of the neck and inhibiting the same from riding up about theneck of the wearer.

Carrier strap D is substantially similar to carrier strap C, including astrap support means 10 having an elongated central body portion 20 whichmay have a longitudinal axis 21 and a pair of end portions 22 and 23 atspaced apart opposed ends of central portion 20, preferably extending atan angle to the same side of central portion 20.

Support means 10 is similarly worn as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, with edge26" thereof disposed toward the wearers neck and edge 25 thereofdisposed toward the wearers back.

The strap means of carrier strap D may comprise a pair of elongatedstraps 30 and 30, each end of which may be provided with an articlesupport (not shown).

In the form of invention as shown in FIG. 8, the attaching means forattachment of straps 30 and 30 to strap support means 10 may comprisestitches 55 by which the upper ends of the straps are sewn to strapsupport means 10.

As shown in the drawings, the uppermost ends of straps 30 and 30 arerespectively attached to'end portions 22 and 23 so that they extendtherefrom at an angular relationship with respect to the longitudinalaxis 21 of elongated central portion 20". The optimum angularrelationship is 45. Here again it is obvious that the invention is notlimited to merely a 45 angular relationship, an angular relationship offrom 30 to 50 being practical and an angle of from 20 to 70 beingeffective.

Carrier strap D is worn in a manner as previously specified inconnection with carrier strap C and the weight distribution therethroughis the same as previously described in connection with carrier strap C.

It is obvious that I have shown only a few of the possible variations bywhich a carrier strap may be provided in which the strap ends dependingfrom the wearers body have a specified angular relationship with respectto the primary portion of the strap which engages the wearers body.

Various changes may be made to the forms of the invention herein shownand described without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A carrier strap for disposition about a portion of a persons bodysuch as the neck, shoulder and the like for carrying various strapsupported articles, said strap support means comprising a substantiallyflexible material which will substantially conform to the contour ofthat part of a persons body with respect to which the same may bedisposed on dependency of an object from said strap means, said strapsupport means including an elongated central portion and a pair of endportions, one end portion extending outwardly from each end of saidcentral portion, one end of each said end central portion to the sameside of said central portion and at a divergent angle with respect toeach other, the longitudinal axis of both end portions being atsubstantially the same angle of divergency outwardly from thelongitudinal axis of said central portion, the longitudinal axis of eachsaid end portion being disposed at a fixed angle of from to 70 withrespect to the longitudinal axis of said central portion, said strapmeans extending from the outermost end of each portion of said strapsupport means in a depending relation with respect thereto and with theoutermost depending ends thereof in a spaced apart relationship withrespect to each other for attachment to spaced portions of an article tobe supported thereby at a spaced location from said strap support meansand being disposed with respect to said strap support means to conductthe load of objects dependent from said strap means through said endportions of said strap support means and thence through said centralportion of said strap support means, whereby to inhibit movement of saidstrap support means in the direction of divergency of said end portionsthereof along that portion of the persons body about which the same isdisposed, said central sportion being disposed for engagement with awearers body and said pair of end portions being disposed with respectthereto to depend to opposite sides of the portion of a wearers bodyengaged by said central portion and extending from said central portionin a direction away from the wearers body.

2. Strap support means as specified in claim 1 wherein said longitudinalaxis of each said end portion is disposed at a fixed angle of from to 50with respect to the longitudinal axis of said central portion.

3. Strap support means as specified in claim 1 wherein said longitudinalaxis of each said end portion is disposed at a fixed angle ofsubstantially 45 with respect to the longitudinal axis of said centralportion.

4. Strap support means as specified in claim 1 wherein said strap meansis integral with said strap support means.

5. Strap support means for disposition in relation to a persons bodysuch as the neck, shoulder and the like in support of a carrying strap,said strap support means comprising a substantially flexible materialwhich will substantially conform to the contour of that part of a persons body with respect to which the same may be disposed, said strapsupport means including an elongated central portion and a pair of endportions, one end portion extending outwardly from each end of saidcentral portion, one end of each said end portion being integral with anend of said central portion and, in a planar orientation of said strapmeans, said end por tions extend outwardly from said central portion tothe same side of said central portion at a divergent angle with respectto each other, the longitudinal axis of both end portions being atsubstantially the same angle of divergency outwardly from thelongitudinal axis of said central portion, the longitudinal axis of eachsaid end portion being disposed at a fixed angle of from 20 to withrespect to the longitudinal axis of said central portion, said centralportion being disposed for engagement with a persons body whereby toinhibit movement of said strap support means in the direction ofdivergency of said end portions thereof along that portion of thepersons body about which the same is disposed, and said pair of endportions being disposed with respect thereto to depend to opposite sidesof the portion of the persons body engaged by said central portion andextending from said central portion in a direction away from suchpersons body, and attaching means for attachment of a carrying strap tosaid strap support means whereby opposite ends of said strap may beattached to an object at spaced apart positions for support of an objectin a spaced apart position from said strap support means, said attachingmeans comprising means to conduct the load of objects dependent from theattached strap' through said end portions of said strap support means.

6. Strap support means as specified in claim 5 wherein said attachingmeans comprises means for fixedly attaching the carrying strap to saidstrap support means.

7. Strap support means as specified in claim 5 wherein the carryingstrap is continuous from one depending end and across said support meansto another depending end, said attaching means comprising means forattaching and entraining the carrying strap across said end portions andsaid central portion of said strap support means.

8. A carrier strap as specified in claim 5 wherein the same is providedfor disposition over a persons shoulder and wherein the strap isattached to said strap support means so that the strap depends from saidstrap support means in a relation thereto with the weight of the articlesupported thereby substantially equally distributed through said strapsupport means with an angular weight force vector such that as theweight supported is increased the edge of said strap support meansdisposed toward the persons arm is drawn more closely into engagementwith the persons shoulder.

9. A carrier strap as specified in claim 4 wherein the same is providedfor disposition about the base of a persons neck and wherein the strapis attached to said strap support means so that the strap depends fromsaid strap support means in relation thereto with the weight of thearticle extending substantially equally through said strap support meanswith an angular weight force vector urging the pad in a direction toinhibit the same from riding up about the neck of the wearer.

10. Strap support means as specified in claim 5 wherein the longitudinalaxis of each said end portion is disposed at a fixed angle of from 30 to50 with respect to the longitudinal axis of said central portion.

11. Strap support means as specified in claim 5 wherein saidlongitudinal axis of each said end portion is disposed at a fixed angleof substantially 45 with respect to the longitudinal axis of saidcentral portion.

12. Strap support means as specified in claim 7 wherein said attachingmeans comprises a plurality of slots provided in said strap supportmeans and the strap is threaded therethrough in attachment of the sameto said strap support means.

1. A carrier strap for disposition about a portion of a person''s body such as the neck, shoulder and the like for carrying various strap supported articles, said strap support means comprising a substantially flexible material which will substantially conform to the contour of that part of a person''s body with respect to which the same may be disposed on dependency of an object from said strap means, said strap support means including an elongated central portion and a pair of end portions, one end portion extending outwardly from each end of said central portion, one end of each said end portion being integral with an end of said central portion and, in a planar orientation of said strap support means, said end portions extend outwardly from said central portion to the same side of said central portion and at a divergent angle with respect to each other, the longitudinal axis of both end portions being at substantially the same angle of divergency outwardly from the longitudinal axis of said central portion, the longitudinal axis of each said end portion being disposed at a fixed angle of from 20* to 70* with respect to the longitudinal axis of said central portion, said strap means extending from the outermost end of each portion of said strap support means in a depending relation with respect thereto and with the outermost depending ends thereoF in a spaced apart relationship with respect to each other for attachment to spaced portions of an article to be supported thereby at a spaced location from said strap support means and being disposed with respect to said strap support means to conduct the load of objects dependent from said strap means through said end portions of said strap support means and thence through said central portion of said strap support means, whereby to inhibit movement of said strap support means in the direction of divergency of said end portions thereof along that portion of the person''s body about which the same is disposed, said central sportion being disposed for engagement with a wearer''s body and said pair of end portions being disposed with respect thereto to depend to opposite sides of the portion of a wearer''s body engaged by said central portion and extending from said central portion in a direction away from the wearer''s body.
 2. Strap support means as specified in claim 1 wherein said longitudinal axis of each said end portion is disposed at a fixed angle of from 30* to 50* with respect to the longitudinal axis of said central portion.
 3. Strap support means as specified in claim 1 wherein said longitudinal axis of each said end portion is disposed at a fixed angle of substantially 45* with respect to the longitudinal axis of said central portion.
 4. Strap support means as specified in claim 1 wherein said strap means is integral with said strap support means.
 5. Strap support means for disposition in relation to a person''s body such as the neck, shoulder and the like in support of a carrying strap, said strap support means comprising a substantially flexible material which will substantially conform to the contour of that part of a person''s body with respect to which the same may be disposed, said strap support means including an elongated central portion and a pair of end portions, one end portion extending outwardly from each end of said central portion, one end of each said end portion being integral with an end of said central portion and, in a planar orientation of said strap means, said end portions extend outwardly from said central portion to the same side of said central portion at a divergent angle with respect to each other, the longitudinal axis of both end portions being at substantially the same angle of divergency outwardly from the longitudinal axis of said central portion, the longitudinal axis of each said end portion being disposed at a fixed angle of from 20* to 70* with respect to the longitudinal axis of said central portion, said central portion being disposed for engagement with a person''s body whereby to inhibit movement of said strap support means in the direction of divergency of said end portions thereof along that portion of the person''s body about which the same is disposed, and said pair of end portions being disposed with respect thereto to depend to opposite sides of the portion of the person''s body engaged by said central portion and extending from said central portion in a direction away from such person''s body, and attaching means for attachment of a carrying strap to said strap support means whereby opposite ends of said strap may be attached to an object at spaced apart positions for support of an object in a spaced apart position from said strap support means, said attaching means comprising means to conduct the load of objects dependent from the attached strap through said end portions of said strap support means.
 6. Strap support means as specified in claim 5 wherein said attaching means comprises means for fixedly attaching the carrying strap to said strap support means.
 7. Strap support means as specified in claim 5 wherein the carrying strap is continuous from one depending end and across said support means to another depending end, said attaching means comprising means for attaching and entraining the carrying strap across said end portions aNd said central portion of said strap support means.
 8. A carrier strap as specified in claim 5 wherein the same is provided for disposition over a person''s shoulder and wherein the strap is attached to said strap support means so that the strap depends from said strap support means in a relation thereto with the weight of the article supported thereby substantially equally distributed through said strap support means with an angular weight force vector such that as the weight supported is increased the edge of said strap support means disposed toward the person''s arm is drawn more closely into engagement with the person''s shoulder.
 9. A carrier strap as specified in claim 4 wherein the same is provided for disposition about the base of a person''s neck and wherein the strap is attached to said strap support means so that the strap depends from said strap support means in relation thereto with the weight of the article extending substantially equally through said strap support means with an angular weight force vector urging the pad in a direction to inhibit the same from riding up about the neck of the wearer.
 10. Strap support means as specified in claim 5 wherein the longitudinal axis of each said end portion is disposed at a fixed angle of from 30* to 50* with respect to the longitudinal axis of said central portion.
 11. Strap support means as specified in claim 5 wherein said longitudinal axis of each said end portion is disposed at a fixed angle of substantially 45* with respect to the longitudinal axis of said central portion.
 12. Strap support means as specified in claim 7 wherein said attaching means comprises a plurality of slots provided in said strap support means and the strap is threaded therethrough in attachment of the same to said strap support means. 